DSU Hornests to Hold Red/White Scrimmage This Saturday

DSU Head Coach Kermit Blount

DOVER, Delaware  --  The Delaware State University football team will wrap its 2013 spring drills with the annual Red/White scrimmage on Saturday (Apr. 13)  at 2:00 p.m. at Alumni Stadium.

More than 70 players have participated in this year's camp.

The Hornets are projected to return 12 starters from their 2012 squad, which posted the team’s first winning record since 2007. DSU was 6-5 overall and tied for third in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference with a 5-3 mark in the league.

Delaware State must replace a number of key players, including quarterback Nick Elko, the 2012 MEAC Offensive Player-of-the-Year; and three other All-MEAC First Team performers.

Elko completed his DSU career as No. 2 in team history in passing yards (5,754) and completions (539); and third in touchdown passes (37). He set school season records for completions (259) and passing yards (2,828) last season.

Cory Murphy (r-jr.; 6-2, 205), a 2012 junior college transfer, and Esayah Obado (r-fr.; 6-200) have taken most of the snaps at quarterback this spring. Each was listed on the 2012 Hornet roster, but did not see playing time.

“Each of our quarterbacks is getting some valuable reps this spring,” said Delaware State head coach Kermit Blount. “This spring has been important in the development of our QBs; and I’m eager to see how each performs during our final scrimmage.”

The Hornets must also replace All-MEAC wide receivers Travis Tarpley and Justin Wilson.

Tarpley, also a 2012 Sheridan Broadcast Network Black College All-American, was tops in the MEAC in receptions (7.8 pg) and receiving yards (96.2 pg); and tied for first in the league in touchdown catches (7). Wilson was third in the MEAC in receptions (6.0 pg) and receiving yards (73.3 pg) last season. He led the league in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown receptions in 2010.

Milton Williams (jr.; 6-3, 200) and Mailk Golson (r-fr.; 5-10, 180) are among several players who will battle to replace Tarpley and Wilson as starting wide receivers.

Delaware State’s hopes to continue the improvement in the running game it began last season. The Hornets averaged 98.9 yards per game rushing in 2012, up from 50.3 per game in 2011. DSU also rushed for 13 touchdowns last season after tallying just six the previous year. 

Malcolm Williams (jr.; 5-10, 180) has had a productive spring after leading the Hornets with 437 yards rushing despite missing two games in 2012. Williams rushed for 120 yards, including a 60-yard touchdown, before hurting his ankle in Delaware State’s 23-7 loss to FBS Cincinnati last season.

Dae-Hon Cheung (so.; 5-9, 180) rushed for 410 yards (5.0 ypc) and three touchdowns, while Nagee Jackson had 238 yards rushing and a team-high seven touchdowns on the ground last season. Each player had at least one 100-yard rushing game in 2012.

The Hornet offensive line expects to return three starters this fall, led by 2012 All-MEAC Second Team center Brandon Cunningham (r-sr.; 6-2, 280). Keon Williams (so,; 6-2, 280) is emerging star at left guard.

The biggest loss along the offensive line is left tackle Nail Muradymov, a 2012 All-MEAC First Team performer.

Delaware State has seven projected starters returning on defense, led by 2012 All-MEAC First Team players Davon Moore (jr.; 5-11, 195) at free safety and inside linebacker Ernest Adjei (sr.; 6-0, 235).

Moore was third in the MEAC in tackles (8.8 pg; 97 total) and third for third with four interceptions in 2012.  His 175 interception return yards were tops in the MEAC and second among all FCS players last season.

Adjei was tied for sixth in the MEAC in tackles at 8.5 per game last season (93 total).

Delaware State defensive returners also include defensive back Terrick Colston (so.; 6-1, 190) and left end Rodney Gunter (jr.; 6-5, 300). Each was selected to the 2012 All-MEAC Second Team.

Colston, a 2012 Jerry Rice Award nominee (top FCS freshman), was second on the Hornets and fifth in the MEAC in tackles (8.6 pg; 95 total) last season.

Gunter was tied for seventh in the MEAC in sacks (0.5 pg; 5.5 total) and tops among DSU defensive linemen with 49 tackles (27 solo) last season.

Delaware State placekicker Mitchell Ward (jr.; 6-1, 180) and punter Marko Kano (jr.; 6-6, 220) also return. Ward was 12-for-19 on field goal attempts and perfect on 28 extra-point kicks in 2012. Kano averaged 39.4 yards (long 62) on 42 punts last season.

Returning defensive back Joe Boyd (jr.; 6-0, 195) was fourth on the team with 87 tackles last season. He was also credited with 3.5 tackles-for-loss, an interception and two forced fumbles. 

“I’m pleased with the progress we have made so far this spring,” Blount said. “It’s important that we have strong finish to camp and do the necessary off-season work to be ready for the new year.”    

2013 DSU Football Schedule

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